Zero Day by Jan Gangsei

Zero Day by Jan Gangsei
Published by Disney-Hyperion in January 2016
Debut Author, 2016

"Eight years ago, Addie Webster was the victim of the most notorious kidnapping case of the decade. Addie vanished—and her high-profile parents were forced to move on.

Mark Webster is now president of the United States, fighting to keep the oval office after a tumultuous first term. Then, the unthinkable happens: the president’s daughter resurfaces. Addie is brought back into her family’s fold, but who is this sixteen-year-old girl with a quiet, burning intelligence now living in the White House? There are those in the president’s political circle who find her timely return suspicious.

When the NSA approaches Darrow Fergusson, Addie’s childhood best friend and the son of the president’s chief of staff, he doesn't know what to think. How could this slip of a girl be a threat to national security? But at the risk of having his own secrets exposed by the powerful government agency, Darrow agrees to spy on Addie.

It soon becomes apparent that Addie is much more than the traumatized victim of a sick political fringe group. Addie has come with a mission. Will she choose to complete it? And what will happen if she does?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
The reason I picked this up was because of the kidnapping aspect.  I have a weird fascination with kidnapping stories.  While the kidnapping was a small secondary aspect of the story, this book did not disappoint!  This story has elements of cyber-terrorism and mild political thrillers, along with the dynamics of a dysfunctional family.  Overall, if you like political thrillers along with dysfunctional families, you should pick up this book!

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Boy and Girl in the World

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which shines a light on eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.  This week, my pick is:

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Date: April 26, 2016

From Goodreads: What if your town was sliding underwater and everyone was ordered to pack up and leave? How would you and your friends spend your last days together?

While the adults plan for the future, box up their possessions, and find new places to live, Keeley Hewitt and her friends decide to go out with a bang. There are parties in abandoned houses. Canoe races down Main Street. The goal is to make the most of every minute they still have together.  And for Keeley, that means taking one last shot at the boy she’s loved forever.

There’s a weird sort of bravery that comes from knowing there’s nothing left to lose. You might do things you normally wouldn’t. Or say things you shouldn’t. The reward almost always outweighs the risk.  Almost.

It’s the end of Aberdeen, but the beginning of Keeley’s first love story. It just might not turn out the way she thought. Because it’s not always clear what’s worth fighting for and what you should let become a memory.

The story premise sounds fascinating.  Siobhan Vivian always writes things that are a bit out of the ordinary.  I can't wait to read this!

Picture Books for Adults

Who says picture books have to be just for kids?  

They should be for everyone, including the kids at heart!

The picture books I'm going to feature here will appeal to both kids and adults.  You know those books that have the little hidden nuggets of humor for the parents.  While I can't stop little Susie from wanting you to read the same book 300 times, I can make reading time a little more enjoyable for you.

So stop on by with a glass of wine in one hand and your library card in the other.

Who knows?  You might even enjoy reading these books 300 times.

#IMWAYR- March 7, 2016

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

What I Read Last Week:

Zero Day by Jan Gangsei (watch for my review on Thursday!)

Next in my queue:

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Be sure to check out what other people are reading over at Teach Mentor Texts!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Published by Henry Holt and Company in September 2015.

"Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first." -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
If you like fantasy, then you will love this book.  The plot is wonderful: Oceans Eleven combined with magic.  LOVE.  The fantasy elements are almost steampunk in nature- tanks side by side with horses, swords side by side with guns, magic side by side with science.  The characters are built over the entire novel, layer by layer.  Overall, if you love fantasy, steampunk elements, and wonderfully imperfect characters, this book is for you.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.